Linking power grids in East-Africa while betting on biomass
Experts at an energy workshop in Nairobi, organised by the United Nations Industrial Development Organisation, have discussed the potential for alternative, clean and renewable energy sources, especially biomass, in East Africa.
The meeting was organised in the context of the construction of a power line to connect Kenya’s national grid to the South African Power Pool, with works expected to begin in March next year. The grid-integration project is aimed at linking Kenya's and Tanzania's national grids through Arusha, as part of government plans to reduce energy costs. Kenya's Energy Secretary Patrick Nyoike said the government has secured 85 million shilling (€914,000/US$1.2 million) for feasibility studies on a connection to the Ethiopian grid as well.
The large project has given East African countries the opportunity to look at renewables to supply electricity to the integrated grid - from geothermal over wind to biomass and biogas. Nyoike said the Kenyan Energy Bill of 2006 has set a legal framework for the development of an economically viable, efficient and environmentally sustainable energy sector. He announced Kenya will spend 70 billion shillings (€750 million/US$1 billion) to increase power generation from the current 1,100 megawatts to 3,000 megawatts by the year 2010:
biomass :: bioenergy :: biofuels :: energy :: sustainability :: gasification :: biogas :: East Africa ::
Biomass potential
He stressed that escalating fossil fuel prices has renewed the need to produce clean power from biomass and from other renewable energy technologies.
"Clean biomass energy systems for electricity generation through gasification are viable options capable of generating incomes and employment opportunities in rural Kenya at competitive prices," he said.
The experts, led by the Unido representative for Kenya, Uganda and Eritrea, Mr Alexander Varghese, added that investments in the conversion of municipal wastes into biogas could provide a solution to the serious environmental challenges facing Kenya’s urban areas.
Meanwhile Kenya Meat Commission managing commissioner James Kimonye says they are highly considering utilizing their meat processing by products to generate power. Kimonye said the energy is essential for their steam needs and it will also reduce their overhead costs. He said KMC slaughters between 500 and 700 livestock daily, leaving it with a big quantity of dung. Kimonye said high power tariffs by the Kenya Power and Lighting Company has resulted in high-energy costs thus pushing the Commission into source for energy from biomass.
Other renewables
The Energy Secretary also said surveys were underway in Marsabit, Turkana and at Ngong Hills on the potential of harnessing wind to supplement hydropower.
Finally, he said the ministry is spending 150 million shillings annually to install solar panels for schools and health in arid and semi-arid areas.
The meeting was organised in the context of the construction of a power line to connect Kenya’s national grid to the South African Power Pool, with works expected to begin in March next year. The grid-integration project is aimed at linking Kenya's and Tanzania's national grids through Arusha, as part of government plans to reduce energy costs. Kenya's Energy Secretary Patrick Nyoike said the government has secured 85 million shilling (€914,000/US$1.2 million) for feasibility studies on a connection to the Ethiopian grid as well.
The large project has given East African countries the opportunity to look at renewables to supply electricity to the integrated grid - from geothermal over wind to biomass and biogas. Nyoike said the Kenyan Energy Bill of 2006 has set a legal framework for the development of an economically viable, efficient and environmentally sustainable energy sector. He announced Kenya will spend 70 billion shillings (€750 million/US$1 billion) to increase power generation from the current 1,100 megawatts to 3,000 megawatts by the year 2010:
biomass :: bioenergy :: biofuels :: energy :: sustainability :: gasification :: biogas :: East Africa ::
Biomass potential
He stressed that escalating fossil fuel prices has renewed the need to produce clean power from biomass and from other renewable energy technologies.
"Clean biomass energy systems for electricity generation through gasification are viable options capable of generating incomes and employment opportunities in rural Kenya at competitive prices," he said.
The experts, led by the Unido representative for Kenya, Uganda and Eritrea, Mr Alexander Varghese, added that investments in the conversion of municipal wastes into biogas could provide a solution to the serious environmental challenges facing Kenya’s urban areas.
Meanwhile Kenya Meat Commission managing commissioner James Kimonye says they are highly considering utilizing their meat processing by products to generate power. Kimonye said the energy is essential for their steam needs and it will also reduce their overhead costs. He said KMC slaughters between 500 and 700 livestock daily, leaving it with a big quantity of dung. Kimonye said high power tariffs by the Kenya Power and Lighting Company has resulted in high-energy costs thus pushing the Commission into source for energy from biomass.
Other renewables
The Energy Secretary also said surveys were underway in Marsabit, Turkana and at Ngong Hills on the potential of harnessing wind to supplement hydropower.
Finally, he said the ministry is spending 150 million shillings annually to install solar panels for schools and health in arid and semi-arid areas.
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